Are Young Japanese Interested in Politics? (Interview)

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I asked young Japanese people if they are interested in politics.

[@TohnoEn]

Most people really just want to work and get by. Unfortunately, even if you don't care about politics, politics will come for you.

[@ibm30rpg]

Life is not all about politics.

[@dedoyxp]

life is not without politics

[@woosh2055]

That's not unfortunate though. It's fortunate.

[@farkasabel]

You should do a video on this topic but with senior/elder people.

[@nurlindafsihotang49]

the youngs holds the future, dear. it is important too to know how they feel and think

[@farkasabel]

and the youngs are able to hold the future because of the elder people.

[@juliusguillermo222]

Agreed, and how they are influencing the younger/current generations in terms of politics. Just basing on the people interviewed in this video(which no way speaks for all young Japanese) they... really don't give a shit. The two girls' answers were kinda frustrating for some reason though.

[@swagbuffalo8560]

Agreed, young people don't vote

[@ShowTimeAtTheAppllo]

Yes

[@aleksandarspasic6067]

It's sad when they say politics has nothing to do with them.

[@Hirome_Satou]

Perhaps, but do any of them seem particularly upset with the way their politicians run things? If they're happy with the way things are, naturally they would be disinterested in trying to change it. It's a huge contrast to America where every election cycle could spark a collapse or boom of the economy due to wall street fears over the capability of the new government to run things. To me, the young people of Japan not having any huge complaints with their government is a ringing endorsement of the ruling party and their policy choices. Otherwise, they would be interested in politics and have a longer list of worries than pensions and not wanting there to be war, no?

[@Necroskull388]

I mean, that's one way to look at it, but honestly I think it just means they're unaware/apathetic about the issues their nation is facing. Japan is hardly perfect. The way I see it, there are always leaky holes, literally regardless of where you are, so if people aren't interested in patching them up, that means you're slowly taking on water.

[@yw5647]

true

[@T4nku0ut]

The fact that strangers can control the circumstances of your life through politics is enough reason to not participate or legitimize such a toxic mechanism for structuring society. Politics is nothing more than divide and conquer. There are always winners and losers each election, splitting and dividing the population further. The winning side dictates what everyone, including the losers, will pay for, how they will have to live and adjust their lives to certain changes, etc creating a win-lose situation as opposed to a win-win situation we experience in our everyday life when we interact outside of politics True progress can only be made outside of politics.

[@DriveCancelDC]

What? This is a common attitude as many of us will not feel the effect of our votes. How many people can say their life is truly worse under Trump than Obama? It just doesn't matter who is the leader of a country for many people, unless they are a crazy dictator, obviously.

[@deltaforcedf]

I don't think they are supporting LDP for any particular reason other than going with the flow. It's more like they don't seem to aware or much informed about others.

[@Asher89leo]

This is sad. young people who does not care about politics. is like saying they dont care about their future. "I dont care about anything else as long as I dont die because of war, and I receive my pension when I am old." Their expectation on politicians is so low.

[@UshioKiss]

I think it just means that Japan has been really peaceful in their lifetimes, and there aren't any major issues they feel concerned with. Of course it can be dangerous to be uneducated on your countries politics because it can lead to drastic things.

[@davidvc7670]

I feel the political debate is less heated as in other countries because the governing party is anchored since 60 years. Maybe this stability causes a kind of unconcern which is not fundamentally bad. Nevertheless if a strong opposition emerged younger Japanese would take more part to the debate I guess.

[@davidvc7670]

TheKissCartel Indeed

[@blue_cameron]

Maybe they are fine with things already so they don't care to think about it

[@Sonosuke]

Its not really different from here in austria.

[@chuhai8161]

I see a lot of people lamenting the political apathy of the youth in this video, but to be honest, after seeing the political divisions in the USA recently (my home country), it's refreshing to live in Japan where people aren't at each others' throats all the time.

[@axemaster6730]

Repyling to an old comment here, but yeah, you are so right. I love the view they have on politics and how they see and handle it so peacefully and unexcited. I can relate so much to what you say about your home country, the USA. I'm from Germany and I avoid talking politics whenever I can, cause it's so heated over here, you can hardly start off a political discussion without ending in a fist fight (a bit exaggerated of course, but you get what I mean).

[@TheFire1290]

People generally aren't at each other's throat in the U.S. There are issues like the January 6 storming of the capital, but an easy way to avoid trouble is to simply not look for it. There are countless people who never even ask about the political affiliation of their friends, coworkers, etc.

[@kawaiipotatoes7888]

youth in Japan is very different from the 60s to 70s. If I were them I rather no give af than go back to that madness.

[@DavidCruickshank]

Complete apathy is just as bad as explosive opposition. Hypothermia is no better then Hyperthermia, a country slowly withering away is no better then one tearing itself apart. Neither Japan nor America are doing well at all and both will kill their country if things are not improved.

[@Hephzibah624]

How about an interview with Japanese youth in the countryside?

[@penki5509]

It will be worse because they are more conservative

[@smalltalkissocool9534]

@@penki5509 how is that worse?

[@7necromancer]

It would be awesome if you did an interview with Old People.

[@MrAsevin]

7necromancer he can still make one, so that we see the differences.

[@quirijnv6793]

Honestly quite shocking to me. In my personal context (university in Western Europe) these topics are discussed all the time, like all day, everyday almost. If these interviews are a good sample of Japan as a whole, that's incredibly sad, and almost frightening.

[@bestrafung2754]

It's nice that they have some personal interest in things such as taxes and pensions but it'd be nice if more young Japanese people were interested in politics and voted.

[@SherlockHolmes-di7tr]

Premier Stingy Whats up with the Commie Profiles

[@bestrafung2754]

Erwin Rommel It's just satire.

[@DorthLous]

Scary...

[@user-po8qt9tr1n]

Dorth Lous whats scary?

[@DorthLous]

You don't find people uneducated on an issue voting on it scary?

[@ruedelta]

Democratic responsibility is rarely taught in conjunction with the installment of democracy outside of the Western sphere.

[@funnylilnarutogal2]

Loup Bleu What does your comment even mean. Here in the UK we voted for Brexit and that's something that's bloody important. Before that in 2010 the tories were voted into power and the first thing they did was increase tuition fees, again bloody important. But whatever I'm not planning to have a conversation with you. Each to their own right.

[@woosh2055]

It truly is. Every single adult that can should be informed about politics and vote.

[@KW-bo7dn]

"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors." -Plato

[@user-nf9xc7ww7m]

In Plato's time, everybody participated. Lottery (like jury duty) for various positions, including the executive council. There were no elections as they thought it brought corruption and aristocracy.

[@illuforce]

@@user-nf9xc7ww7m democracy does with many countries. They weren't wrong.

[@ElagabalusRex]

"Since I'm a student, I'm not heated about it." what in tarnation

[@user-nw4ug9eb5u]

信じられない。。。自分達の将来に深く関係してる事なのにね。。

[@user-nw4ug9eb5u]

関心持ってる人もきっといるよね！

[@chief4923]

@@user-nw4ug9eb5u Of couse there are , I am not japanese but I have a lunch mate (A person or friend I always sit with to have school lunch) He is imfromed about his country's politics and situation Considering he is out of country...

[@conformist]

Is it just me or do people in the same "group" always answer the same? Like, if the first friend gives answer "A", then the other friend(s) will do the same. And then a different group of friends will all answer with "B". Suddenly there's no "A" answers.

[@takers786]

it's almost as if people hang around with other people who share the same interests as them or in this case, disinterest.

[@fabled.]

Careful. You don't want to be that weird guy with the weird opinions. Better blend in with the group, know what I mean?

[@AK-gt6om]

Shows the lack of critical thinking, unfortunately

[@aaa_aaa_aaa2023]

同調圧力ってやつだな。特に女子のグループで酷い。みんな同じ意見で「うんうん」となりがち。

[@jinjiyoshi5548]

..... did they just name their age in english? That's the most surprising thing about this video XD.

[@13Kr4zYAzN13]

Nah. A good chunk of loan words in Japanese are English. Numbers barely scratch that surface lol

[@jinjiyoshi5548]

Oh I see, I knew about that but I didn't know they borrowed numbers as well.

[@merlin1743]

No... they didn't borrow numbers from English.

[@luwuie]

13Kr4zYAzN13 This is a bullshit comment lmao. If they wanted to say eighteen they would've said 十八歳です。Or 十九歳です。

[@13Kr4zYAzN13]

...it's...it's like you didn't even read my comment...

[@AceAndRookie]

Famous dialogue "If you don''t focus on politics , You are going to be dominated by air-headed people. Not all assembly members are air-headed but some air-headed look-down on the people. Even they force the distorted history. This must not repeat

[@picoy3418]

What I just saw was pre shame as Japanese.but even my daughter who is 16 have been talking about politics and Japanese constitution with me. May be they got more influence from their family than US.There is one guy who discuss with his father about politics. I think that was nice.

[@NarutoFairytail7]

No wonder Japan doesn't change and their economy hasn't grown for 25 years, cause they don't care about politics. But it's also true that their aren't really good political parties in Japan.

[@delayed6371]

Well, everything seems so stable in their lives, they just want to keep it the way it is. They seem more focused on logics than emotion.

[@Acrimonious_Nin]

4:09 lmfao the guy has about given up on understanding life at this point XD lol

[@marcusaureliusregulus2833]

Just what I thought 😂

[@Asher89leo]

wow Japanese doesn't care about their politics.

[@ananasie1211]

Asher Paul Tan And that's why we are fucked up and doomed.

[@critz6719]

*young*

[@Nivek0]

People like these are the doom fall of any society

[@varishnakov]

They are neophytes, but they know what they want--no war and to be cared for when they get old. Sounds reasonable to me.

[@SuperZeroMaker]

varishnakov Too individualistic.

[@Necroskull388]

Those are obviously important goals, but they're so basic.

[@ibm30rpg]

Sometimes the most basic things are what leads to happiness, and everyone wants happiness in the end.

[@rezajafari6395]

Ehh, by their age I already had a pretty fleshed-out political programme for both my country (Russia) and the US

[@pinkcheese917]

They don’t want war but yet they vote for Abe who clearly said he’ll recognize the Japanese auto-defense forces as their regular official army

[@-jiyuujin-]

I have to say this worries me a bit. Of course I take in count that the result depends a lot on the people you ended up interviewing and can't reflect the entire young population, but I still think it has some relevance in reflecting part of it... That said, the situation in my country isn't very different, I believe, so these feelings of worry I have are as directed to Japanese youth as they are to my country's. But the responsibility for not getting interested and concerned can't, realistically, be ONLY up to the individual in my opinion. I'm sure there's social and cultural (maybe historical as well) responsibilities in youth feeling so far away from politics. Hopefully we'll manage to change this, somehow, maybe promoting politically relevant topics in a way that can be more engaging for everyone. Thanks for the video, as always. :)

[@UshioKiss]

自由人 What is your country, if you don't mind me asking? :0

[@debkumarnandi1732]

Please tell me name of your country.

[@-jiyuujin-]

Sure! It's Italy. In recent years youth's interest in politics seem to be in constant decline. A lot don't go to vote, most know barely anything about active political parties (apart from something generic about the main ones) and don't feel concerned about a lot of issues of political and social relevance. There also is a part of the young population that actively engages in politics, but still what appears to be the overwhelming majority is not interested...

[@kohkisparten117]

I’m pretty sure because 1, life is good and the LDP is doing a good job of appealing to many people. 2, there are so many parties, just like Italy, and since the largest opposition party to the LDP(minshito) broke apart last year, you can vote a different party, but it won’t matter as much unless that party somehow gets popular. Personally, I still find the LDP with Abe(LDP) way more appealing then Koike(Party of hope) Coming from a Nisei living in the US who looks at JP news frequently

[@harambe4267]

Young people were never too interested in voting unless they faced the draft and a possible war - mostly because young people rarely own anything of value AND they don't earn enough to mind the government taking a cut since they get it back in other services. It's especially true nowadays when young adults are expected to prolong their adolescence well into their twenties via the tertiary education (especially in US, where colleges are basically glorified vacation resorts with the number of activities and other distractions they offer)

[@theleninist4272]

This is typical of people in most countries and not just young people , but people of all ages should take an interest in politics because politics governs how you live you lives from birth to death , it is the most important thing , it traces out you life and life chances , so people should learn about political theory and ideology .

[@lucifermeowstar4604]

Banter 😂😂😂 Need that shirt!

[@zak2189]

HODOR

[@stevengarland697]

All the videos I see on your channel, everyone seems very happy.

[@devilymoon]

It looks like they are not even aware of the main problems Japan is facing : education costs, birth rate, pauperization, rising of precarious jobs and fixed-term contracts, lower wages but high taxes, lack of nurseries, etc. Besides, they all want peace and diplomacy but admit they would vote LDP/Abe, who has clearly told he would recognize the ADF as a regular army. Even Koike has a strong policy pledge about defence and military matters. I find it astonishing than most of them don't even know more than two parties. The Japanese work too much to get informed about politics, as the lady said in the video. 残念 !

[@QASIMARA]

Young people have good lives, but that's due to their youth, not party in power

[@lordclown1187]

I kinda like the chill atmosphere when it comes to politics, feels more like something they can discuss, or you can discuss. Whilst here in Sweden you can barely discuss it. You can get beaten up for sympathising with a political party, even if it doesn't happen alot, it does happen. There are problems in all soecieties but i prefer Japan here aswell.

[@ShorePlain]

In my view, it's way too common for people to bash, threaten and disrespect each other based on political views, making it hard to carry any kind of confidence when talking about politics. If I'm going to have a conversation about my political views and compare them with someone else who might have an opposite outlook, the most important thing to take into consideration is patience, respect and Not ridicule or harass someone for it. I myself often avoid talking about politics with many people due to it often leading them to toxic behaviour. This doesn't mean I don't observe, engage myself or vote, because I do, and I've voted once so far (due to elections taking place every 4 years, my first time when I was 18 and my second time coming up next year when I turn 22). For example, calling someone with a liberal and/or left-winged point of view a "libcuck", or a republican and/or right-winged point of view a "nazi pig" doesn't promote any kind of intellectual conversation or attempt of understanding each other's differences one bit. This also goes for party representatives, I strongly believe they should all show patience, respect and most of all not harass or interrupt each other. It's very hard to take anything seriously if they're not going to try and show any professionalism. I myself can't take a political discussion seriously at all if the other person just doesn't care about what I have to say and will go on to be a toxic name-caller because of our differences. In summary, please be patient, be open-minded to what you might not know you may agree with or at least find value in, and recognize that you're talking to a person.

[@jahildebrandt]

Thanks for these videos, Yuta. It's really interesting material and it helps a lot with learning more specialized Japanese words in a natural way.

[@MrLuigi98]

Would you also later interview in what could be their thoughts of Japan becoming multi-cultural and more foreigners going in a possible future?

[@harambe4267]

Voting for who seems most favorable in the news is worse than not voting at all. Informed voters > non-voters > uniformed voters.

[@tvremote9394]

it's not surprising, most stable, developed countries have young people who aren't interested in politics. only countries with pretty recent unstable pasts like hong kong or ukraine would have youngsters interested in politics.

[@YARGGG_GG]

it's weird, but i actually find the indifference pretty refreshing. i believe c.s. lewis once said that politics only exist to solve problems and can easily become a worse problem once you fixate on them without a clear goal/end.

[@DiZeHiZe]

im surprised on one even mentioned the aging population or the overworking issues they face 🤔

[@DemiGray]

Yuta, I think it would be interesting to see what Japanese people know about Native Americans. I know some people in the states still think we live in tepees and don't have technology.

[@melissasugi681]

Since Yuta didn't answer, I'll tell you the little info I've gathered over years in Japan. I've been told that they don't learn anything about Native Americans, and actually saw a junior high 'world history timeline' that has North American history blank until the white man came.

[@pianocorpse8565]

I'm also always pretty astonished, how people often worry the most about their financial security when retiring. Aren't your young and lively years, where you're the healthiest and fittest, more important? Instead many are seemingly okay with working overtime for many decades just to have some sort of ok financial stability, when you're already old and can't do as much.

[@user-cq1tn2hk9r]

Opposite from Korea where everyone is alert about politics and most stuff on the internet and social media is about politics

[@djgiga2]

Great interview. As a foreigner with little knowledge of Japanese politics something that would really help is just a breakdown of where each political party is on a scale of conservative to progressive. Otherwise I have little context as to what they are talking about.

[@TheFiestyhick]

Maybe an interesting video to make would be about the rivalry between Osaka vs Tokyo people. I've met people from both sides that insult the other....lol...

[@MannyD90]

It's strange how opposite it is in the States right now. I feel like young people here are more involved with politics than ever

[@pianocorpse8565]

Young people often going with LDP is pretty similar to Austria and ÖVP. Many young peeps aren't rlly well informed (or purposfully misinformed by mainstream media(which is often bought by leading parties)) and just vote for ÖVP, that's also been leading most of the time. Cause the status quo is apparently "totally acceptable" and why change that. Yet it only seems "totally acceptable" due to manipulated mainstream media or their lack of knowledge/interest on what actual problems these parties create.

[@janejorns]

Thank you so much for this video. I had the same impression in Japan that young people don't know much about politics and don't care about it. Or they just accept the opinion of strong authorities as their own one.

[@Isykariman1]

That's why, they are overwork, overstudy, and underpaid...

[@willzhou7836]

This interview gives interesting information confirming my expectation about the attitudes of young Japanese towards politics. I cannot see enough dynamics, passion, energy and hope from young Japanese people - the society of Japanese youths doens't look young at all. The reasons they think about retirement when they're still in their 20s can be two fold - the enjoyment of their everyday life seems okay and not being threatened, they can still live relatively confortably; but it's at the same time impossible for them to pursue something bigger and more substantial, the opportunities for self-fulfilment are almost none. I'm afraid to say, this nation is fading away slowly.

[@user-cg6fq8mo6i]

Exactly.

[@sunjewel63]

This was very interesting! Thank you! I am really enjoying the language lessons too!

[@RedRedRed0-0]

The most simplistic answer why most Japanese don’t have interest in Politics because the politics here is weird and boring. Every time these old people are being aired on TV most of the time they’re just debating on the most stupid topics politicians can ever get, you will rarely see serious and interesting topics that can actually help the country. And also did you know Japan had an IT minister who hasn’t used a computer in his entire life and before the government actually distributed face masks that it’s so small only your nose can fit and the reason? to reduce costs. And during pandemic working from home is a no no in Japan, politicians actually prevented the application of IT in Japan so Japanese people will always go to work and punch the clock. That’s Japanese politics for you.

[@SuperAvocadoo]

Can you make a video about geinoujins, idols, ジャニーズ in Japan? A place where comedians and idols dominate the entertainment business is very unique and interesting compared to other countries. Or can you make a video about why Japanese movies are full of overreaction acting? I always wondered about that.

[@ajrwilde14]

they are worried about the sales tax rising to 10%? WTF?! In Britain it is ALREADY 20%.

[@giovanicruz593]

4:15 stop talking this shit man i'dont care, lmao his face

[@waylt]

the mendokusai face, lol

[@MsJavaWolf]

Politics are very complicated and many statements that politicians make will not come true in the end. I only ever voted for smaller parties and in the end many of them had internal conflicts and became absolutelly irrelevant, achieving nothing. Parties will also usually change their course after an election or after they have to go into a coalition with another party. I am not so much desinterested in politics, it's more like it's almost impossible to know how you should actually vote.

[@QB.113]

This is an awesome video! I love how Japanese people hold a different view of politics than people in the US and UK, where things are becoming more vitriolic.

[@juanitocaminador1931]

Hey Yuta! so i'm from latin america and as everybody knows we have very corrupts goverments. So i want to know if in Japan the people have the same perception about their goverment or if you think that you have a transparent goverment.

[@cernejr]

Very good video. I was expecting young Japanese to be more patriotic, more informed, and more grateful - I am adjusting my perception.

[@cernejr]

The South Koreans and Japanese interviewed by Asian Boss seem to have a lot more depth. Maybe you sampled a different crowd, Yuta. Maybe the street you pick affects the people you meet?

[@softiebbybunny2317]

I don't blame them. They seem pretty content and happy with their lives. Politics is stressful and I don't like feeling like I need to pick a side to please people. So I like how they seem to just do their own thing.

[@waylt]

I'm curious about what Japanese people think of vegetarianism/veganism, I hope you can make a video about that soon. thanks yuta!

[@jayf8871]

This was interesting. Thank you for these interviews 🙏🏾

[@juliusguillermo222]

So weird, back in the 50s or 60s was it? Japan had so much internal political turmoil and students were in the thick of it protesting. Some of those protests were violent also. Is it just because there's less big issues in Japan/among its politicians and most of it are external(ie NK) or is this a total shift of attitude in the younger generation? I don't doubt there's some corruption happening among gov't official but do the people care? The last one I heard is of that guy who used gov't money for personal use. And he apologized on TV crying/wailing.

[@matthewcecil8552]

Wow! That's a huge change in Japanese politics. Great work by the young people without voting rights who pushed to make this a reality. I'm sure it was a really, really long struggle to earn this right. Use it well! The most important things to a democracy are freedom of speech/press, a well-informed public, and an independent judiciary!!! Never give up your pacifist Constitution!!!!

[@ruedelta]

A well-informed, politically engaged public is necessary for the proper function of the vote. They don't seem to have that...

[@SuperZeroMaker]

Matthew Cecil So, the most important things to a democracy don't exist. That's why is a system doomed to fail, just a cool name to corporate and media control.

[@DubmanicGetFlazed]

Wow, they all very reasonable. The only thing I disagree with getting information on who to vote from just the news.

[@massvt3821]

Yuta---I couldn't help but notice that you've used this area as a backdrop for other videos, especially the popular one where you interviewed two Japanese women about dating foreign guys. This must be a lucrative area for you...

[@icebalm]

I find it really baffling that nobody seemed to take any of the issues seriously, especially when talking about missile launches from North Korea. Everyone was laughing it off like it didn't really matter. Are Japanese people working so much that they think world events, and as they say even their own politics in general, are of no consequence to their lives? I don't understand how this is possible.

[@Speedarion]

yay new video

[@Bryan-yd4wn]

3:06 Am I the only who thinks that the way how he laughed was so freaking cute?

[@deadsamurai9374]

eye opening... and kinda scary too

[@veemon]

Why scary?

[@janejorns]

By the way, you said you read articles about the participation among young people, could you please leave a link in the info box or in the comments, I would like to read more about it. Articles in Japanese would be great, but English is fine as well.

[@Roman199028]

what a happy people they are. I sincerely envy them and this is huge contrast with Korea which is hungry for bloody political debates

[@itwipsy17]

haha idiot.

[@rezajafari6395]

You guys are doing it right in Korea. More political debates, more democracy!

[@MultiSciGeek]

There is a kind of joy and peace in being ignorant... *But you know a country is screwed when it's young don't care about politics* I mean the fact that most of them only know one party (and that barely) shows they don't really care. How are they even supposed to vote responsibly? Democracy usually has more diversity and competition otherwise it might just end up like an elected version of China's authoritarian party because people are afraid of change and because they don't pay attention to what the government is doing. Luckily Japan is doing well right now. I really think if they care about their future they should participate more in politics. Politicians might bring personal interest like money and their political survival before their country and their duty. This, surprisingly, also seems to be a problem in Japan judging from their responses. The West and the East are quite different, and after watching this video I feel like in the East people really obey authority and leave it up to their elders to make the right choice. In the west, like America for example, politics are hot topics but their government functions pretty well - even in the age of Trump (surprisingly)... where people clearly voice their concerns over the mistakes the government does (scandals, corruption etc. ). What if Japan elects a their own Trump but nobody would know because nobody cares and because the government is more silent compared to America? Like I said, Japan is in a way lucky that everyone is chilled about politics - it prevents them from falling into extremism that the west has, and that the society is generally very honest and committed... but once that begins to change (and it starting to change imo).... Politics in Japan are weird from my perspective :/ Very interesting interview.

[@Enlightize]

Yuta, very interesting topic. May be this is too personal a question for YT....but will you be voting? :3

[@BagoGarde]

great video man keep it up!

[@vix86]

Yuta, Thanks for doing this video! I had posted months ago asking you to do a topic like this, glad to see it done finally. The responses were about in line with what I expected. In the US politics are such a heated thing, partially because it makes good media coverage, although I don't know if it results in a better educated populace. I wonder, if the media tried to sensationalize politics in Japan, if young people would have more interest in what was going on. It seemed like some of the people were also a little embarrassed about the fact they didn't know more or have an opinion on things. So at least it looks like the young people feel a little guilty about the fact that they don't have a hold on politics and current issues.

[@RenegadeShepard69]

It's like that in many places, don't know why people in the comments of Japanese related stuff insist in being surprised on how 'sad' or 'weird' they are. It's just that those young people are not well informed in politics, so they just don't have an opinion formed. Here in the American continent, for example, is common to guess serious stuff like you can form or pretend to form an opinion out of thin air. So it feels like everyone is into politics and most just happen to have "wrong" opinions. When actually if people didn't dodge admitting to not know it would be clear that most don't have an interest. And also here there's always a tutor or a guardian for many political ideas, so you can always repeat someone else's words when you don't know anything about the subject. No one here is motivated to form their own opinions, because of the risk of motivating the 'wrong' political view, so it's safer to teach everyone your own views. It's not as pretty as it sounds to have a country with a politically engaged youth, most are just copycats and into poor group thinking and after realising they were just some pawns conforming to social pressure they will for the rest of their lifes care about only the basic things in their own little life, or the politics that affects their self interest, not about the future of their beloved nation. Because the youth is taught here that "everyone should have an political opinion", and not that everyone should have political knowledge and do the best for their country with such power of information. The people that don't want to care about politics and fall for the teachers of opinions will feel relieved to to have bigger wiser people telling them everything they want to hear, they don't wanna make a change. All Im saying is that politics is fucked up and alienated people everywhere, but if there's the right people really interested in it then there's always a chance. Also none of those Japanese youth opinions were at all horrible just because they aren't interested. That's not what mainly causes extremism, totalitarianism, even if it feels like the "uninterested" are complying to horrible leaders the ones that really do are the ignorant copycats. Politics is for when you're capable of understanding it.

[@Casiopea_azul]

Very interesting video. I thought they were going to be even more apolitical that that.

[@rexise1989]

It's sad but then again they are still kinda young for them to understand that it does and it will affect them now and in the future. Most of them are just enjoying life. Can't blame them and I understand that

[@Ektiel]

ゆうたさん、アップありがとうございます！ 興味深かったです。やっぱ日本人の政治離れはかなり進んでますね。 政治体制的には民主主義のはずの日本は結局その体制の根本自体を否定してる気がします。この動画でもよく分かると思うんですけど、全然違う社会を望んでる日本人はあまりいないですよね。平和でお金さえ稼げれば何でもいいという考え方ってよく考えれば独裁主義とあまり変わらないんじゃないかと思います。共同体として夢も希望も失われてるこの日本はこれからどうなるんでしょうか？ というわけで話が変わりますが、フランスでは「2度あることは3度ある」(Jamais deux sans trois)ということわざがあるんですけど、次の政治についての投稿を楽しみにしてます。

[@DSQueenie]

This was kind of depressing. The people who weren't interested in politics weren't even embarrassed about it. That said those two girls were right. At this point avoiding war would be nice. I'm the UK there is a bit of a stigma about appearing too conservative when you're young. Clearly that's not the case in Japan which is interesting.

[@DSQueenie]

Александр Пахомов In some places you're right. I'm from Scotland and if you put up a poster stating your support for a Tory during an election... well let's just say I've never seen anyone do it! However plenty of people espouse conservative views it's just not fashionable. However I live in London now and down south it's a different world. It's still not fashionable to be a young Tory but I've met plenty of them.

[@DSQueenie]

Александр Пахомов I live in London now and I can confirm it is overwhelmingly white in most places. There are a few exceptions, like Southall but there are in every city. I've not heard of these arrests you speak of.

[@bakadesune1]

Yuta, I loved using your videos in my High School Japanese classes, but the filter is now blocking them. Can you tag them as "educational" so that we can watch them? Arigato

[@hazardyoutube1121]

This shows you how much young ppl care anout politics until it is put in your head everyday you just dont care

[@hamiltonharper]

The interviews were really interesting, but above all, the girl in the black hat was adorable.

[@ashregister4033]

Yuta, great work. They all seemed kind of apathetic but you managed to get them all to reveal that they do have concerns and ideas. And I love the guy who says a person in their 50's is sooo old that they need to retire. Very funny. I'm 53. Abe's 63 - we're still running the show!

[@Alichousan]

I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS YUTA :)

[@awkwardsean5141]

Oh bless em, they are young aren't they.

[@Spiriax]

I like how you always turn around at the start of every video. Would be funny if you extended it more and more so after a while you spin like 3 loops until you start talking.

[@sursrain]

its because most benefits are lead to older people because Japan is an old country... so young people dont seem to grab something and say to only care about being ok when old and wars

[@condeuiosandilixtos7858]

The problem is that the field of politics has become distanced from those who were supposed to engage in it: citizens. Nowadays, especially in some countries, it seems that the common man can only vote, and after elections politicians can just ignore the public (although parties can be penalised in the following elections for it). In my opinion, the problem is that quite a few parties have become a pseudo-elite which can be indirectly bought -- aka financed -- by the elite which reaches out to politicians via lobbies. In that sense, ideas and organizations have more power and exert more pressure than the citizens... which is problematic. And I'm not even to get into dogmatism in politics, which is also a huge issue by itself.

[@PervertedPanda3]

The guy in the blue shirt is built like a Rock 'em Sock 'em Robot. Sucks to see young people not have an interest in politics but its understandable with how little time some get to themselves, like much youth in most places around the world. I'm sure many commenters are going to be happy to try and grill the kids but I think its at least better to acknowledge that its something they don't know much about at the moment rather than mindlessly vote thoughtlessly.

[@AnthroTsuneon]

Sales tax up to 10%? Oh, stop, please. Used to be 18% here, now it's been 21% for a few years. Economy's popping back up yet they refuse to bring it down again. I wish the Netherlands was so fluent in that... That's one of the things that amazed me when I went to Japan, how Japan could afford such a low sales tax

[@ThePTBRULES]

It might be the benefit of economies of scale, for the US (Where I am) and Japan are so large that many of these costs are pushed down in price because of competition. Sales tax for where I live is 6% and is around that point for much of the US.

[@AnthroTsuneon]

Fair, I suppose. And more reasonable, explained that way. Started asking around, apparently the majority VAT in Hungary is 27%, and about 20% in the UK

[@mcsc0309]

I find this interesting and worrying on there views of politics. We have are own opinions about our governments officials and the parties they represent, when the young people Yuta interviewed they didn't care as long as they get their retirement benefits. But it made sense when they said I work all day and get home late there no interest in it. And the others said they just voted because the political party is adequate, and the rest didn't care because it won't affect me in wishful thinking way. To me it shows how little to no knowledge about there politicians and who they support for. Maybe unlike the U.S. Where we have two dominating parties fighting for control over the government power to steer it in a progressive path one could say. Where in another spectrum they think it overall average and they hope that it will go ok if there's not much rocking the boat. Like the video by the way.

[@yaoyao38]

就職を控えた若者が現政権を支持するのは当たり前であって、強硬に支持しないと街で訴えてる方が何かの思想に取り憑かれてるとしか思えない。 しかし日本人は周りの意見に左右されるのがモロ解りの動画ですね。

[@aaa_aaa_aaa2023]

ただ、ミサイルを何とかして欲しい、平和であって欲しいと考える一方で、もっとトランプみたいに強硬にやるべきだってのも矛盾じゃないかと思う。強硬に先制攻撃でもして、反撃で核ミサイルが飛んで来たら、大量に死ぬのに。

[@SarahLovesJapan]

It does take time to be informed on government and politics. It is the same in America. It sucks because you have work, kids, family, responsibilities, etc. but it is BECAUSE of your government that you are able to work, support your kids, have a family, and have freedoms. Government DOES concern you, it is the foundation of your society. It's frustrating seeing people vote who have no other information other than "seeing it on Facebook" or "seeing it on TV." It's hard, but just like people say "It's my responsibility as a citizen to vote," It's also your responsibility to educate and inform yourself.

[@comradedawid5292]

does anyone know is japan nationalist or patriotic much?just wondering since apparently they are quite conservative,but that doesn't neccessarily translate to nationalist

[@swagbuffalo8560]

Please ask their opinion on PM Abe next time around

[@AuroraaZaph]

Please do this one with elder people!

[@norb4152]

It's so so crazy that they don't want to change worker rights and are okay with the status quo. People in Japan just don't know. They are astonished and sometimes outright don't believe me when I tell them how it is in my home country.

[@StopFear]

Question for Yuta San or other Japanese. What is your opinion of Nippon Kaigi? To me as American Nippon Kaigi sounds extremely disturbing and scary.

[@quintrankid8045]

That was really interesting. The people you interviewed seemed typical and I wonder how much their interest in politics will change as they get older.

[@VinnieJay]

Was political apathy always this prevalent in Japan in the past?

[@chiyoko4244]

On the contrary.